Texas Architect Jan/Feb 2008: Design for Education

Texas Architect Jan/Feb 2008: Design for Education

Texas Architect is the official publication of the Texas Society of Architects, each edition features recently completed projects and other editorial content largely written by AIA members in Texas. That collective participation was the basis of Texas Architect’s recognition by the national AIA with a 2010 Institute Honor for Collaborative Achievement.

texas architect 1/2 2008 22 AIA LRGV Presents 3 Awards m c a l l e n The Lower Rio Grande Valley chapter of the AIA honored local architectural projects during its 2007 Holiday and Design Awards Celebration held in McAllen. The chapter’s Design Awards jury convened in October 2007 to review entries and selected three projects as finalists. The panel of jurors included Mark T. Wellen, AIA, of Rhotenberry Wellen Architects in Midland; Mark Gunder- son, AIA, of W. Mark Gunderson, Architect in Fort Worth; and AI York, AIA, of McKinney Architects in Austin. An Honor Award was presented to the Cam- eron County Courthouse by Roberto Ruiz, AIA. In addition, two projects were selected for Merit Awards—Los Encinos Police Community Net- work Center in McAllen by Negrete and Kolar Architects and 600+ GYM·SPA in Edinburg by Ashley Humphries &amp; Sanchez. The Cameron County Courthouse, known as the Dancy Building, was originally designed by Atlee B. Ayers in 1912. Its restoration was under- taken in two phases. The first phase, begun in 1998, focused on the building’s exterior. In 2001, with the beginning of the second phase, the architect turned to the building’s interior. The interior restoration of the Dancy Building is on par with the best. The exceptional pho- tography [by Chris Cooper] really conveys the sense of the spaces that have been remarkably restored. This is truly an excellent project.” Los Encinos Police Community Network Center, located adjacent to a municipal park, operates both as a police station and a commu- nity hall. The jury noted, “The openness of this project to the community was the single most influential factor in its designation as a Merit Award recipient. The design also exhibited some very nice detailing in the roof structure. In this time of hyper-sensitized ‘homeland’ security, this open police structure in a park contiguous with a residential neighborhood is very refreshing.” The design for the 600+ GymSpa creates a relaxing atmosphere with its combination of interior concrete floors, painted steel struc- ture, and abundance of natural light. The jury noted, “Quality of light in the interiors was exceptional along with well executed interiors. The simple palette of materials was straight- forward, honest, and handsome. The skylight detail centered over the column was a very nice detail. The exterior had some really nice moments, especially, the entrance.” AIA Honors McKittrick with Kemper Award w a s h i n g t o n , d c ThomasMcKittrick, FAIA, of Houston is the 2008 recipient of the Edward C. Kemper Award for his contribu- tions to the profession through service to the American Institute of Architects. In 1991, he was honored with TSA’s Llewellyn W. Pitts Award (now called the Lifetime Achievement Medal), the Society’s highest recognition for an architect member. Among his many accomplishments, McKittrick served as TSA President in 1984 and represented TSA as a regional director on the AIA Board of Directors. In addition, he has served as AIA vice president, vice president and regent of the American Architectural Foundation, and as a member of the National Architectural Accrediting Board. McKittrick is currently an emeritus pro- fessor at Texas A&amp;M University’s College of Architecture. He spent 28 years at his own architectural practice before deciding to teach fulltime after helping teach a professional practice course in 1989 at Rice University, where he had earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture in 1957. Later in 1989, McKittrick was named the first Mid-Career Fellow for the architecture department at Texas A&amp;M. Two years later, at age 57, he completed the degree with a 4.0 grade point average and began his academic career as a tenured associate professor and coordinator of the A&amp;M’s Master of Archi- tecture program. He later was appointed interim head of the architecture department. In that capacity, McKittrick expanded the faculty and launched preparations for the 2002 National Architectural Accrediting Board review. He also served as an advocate, motivator and mentor to faculty members. He has since participated in six NAAB accreditation visits at other uni- versities. In 1998, McKittrick chaired Texas A&amp;M’s Strategic Planning Theme Committee on “A Challenging and Rewarding Work Life for Faculty” and the following year he served on the University Core Curriculum Committee. He also participated in the 2003 Validation Conference, where he collected AIA member opinions leading to pro- posed changes in student performance criteria and other conditions of accreditation. Four other Texas architects have received the Kemper Award—David C. Baer (1957), Philip D. Creer (1960), Charles F. Harper (2001), and James D. Tittle (2006). cameron county courthouse (Dancy Building) 600+ Gymspa Los encinos Police community Network center McKittrick